The third type of activity that is needed for global dominance, in addition to appropriate policy and efficient economic activity, is
scientific research and technological development. All great empires in history were based on certain key technologies. Irrigation,
was one of the earliest technologies that allowed the emergence of the powerful "hydrological societies" of Egypt, India, China, and
Indonesia. Without maritime navigation and sea-going vessels Great Britain would not have been able to control the Commonwealth.
Europe's domination of the World in the 18th and 19th century would not have been possible without its industrial revolution, that was
based on key technologies - from the steam engine and the loom, to the steel vessel and combustion engine. In the 20th century the
Soviet Union would have been a toothless tiger without nuclear power and long-range missile technology and the United States now
dominates the world with military, space and information technology.
To initiate and support a vital research and development sector three elements are essential:

Large talent pool

A large reservoir of smart, well-trained people is the most valuable asset for a country or region. It is people, not money or
organizations, who produce new scientific ideas; it is people, who have the engineering talent to develop new technologies. Without a
sufficient number of bright minds no country or region can become a major player on the world stage.

Conductive cultural & social environment

A social, cultural, and organizational environment, which encourages science and technology. Widespread religious fundamentalism that
contests and combats rational thinking can threaten science and technology. Innocent ignorance of basic concepts and tools in science
and technology among a population can be equally detrimental to scientific research and technological development. If the great
majority of a population has no clue what the scientific and technological elites of their country are doing, public support will
wane. Also necessary, but certainly not sufficient, is appropriate financial support for fundamental and applied research.

Risk capital, copyright protection & standards

Science can only generate economic growth if certain arrangements and institutions are implemented for transferring basic scientific
research into consumer technology. This includes, among other things, organizations and financial institutions for allocating risk
capital to the development of marketable products. Countries also need effective copyright procedures to protect investments into new
technology. And finally, only countries that have reasonable standards and regulations will allow new technologies to flourish, such
as telecommunication standards or food safety regulations.

Links to comparative analyses (in preparation)

In these analyses we will compare China, Europe, and the USA and ask, which of them has the most conductive cultural values to promote
science and technology, the largest talent pool, the most appropriate copyright protection and technological standards and the easiest
available risk capital. These will be our criteria to asses each country's or region's comparative advantage in science and technology